According to Florida's statutes, it is against the law to possess a controlled substance, unless you are an authorized professional who has the drug as part of your occupation (such when you work in the medical field). Even possession of prescription drugs can lead to an arrest if the person who has the substance does not have a legitimate prescription from a physician.
Individuals are considered to be in possession of drugs when the substances are in their control in some way. For example, a person can be charged with drug possession for having the drugs directly on his or her person (such as in a jacket pocket or in his or her hand), or in a vehicle, locker or other location that the person has control over. If you have been arrested for drug possession, our South Florida criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Eric M. Matheny, P.A. can help defend your freedom and future.
Charged with Possession? Call (888) 900-0365 today!
If you have previous drug crime convictions or if there are other aggravating factors, you may be subjected to harsher penalties. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could end up being convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony. Possible penalties include probation, jail time, prison time, expensive fines, participation in drug abuse programs, and more.
There are many different types of defenses that can be used in possession cases. For example, law enforcement officers sometimes have weak evidence that the defendant was actually linked to the drugs, such as if they found the drugs in bushes close to where the individual was standing. In these types of cases, it might be possible to show that there is no actual proof that the drugs were in the defendant's control. Furthermore, if the defendant was not aware that the drug is in his or her possession (such as if someone put the drugs in the person's bag without the individual knowing), the defendant end up having a strong defense against his or her charges.
To learn about your options for fighting a drug possession conviction, contact our firm. We provide services in Miami and other parts of South Florida.
Call (888) 900-0365 to schedule a free case evaluation. We are available 24 hours a day!
With an insider’s perspective on how the justice system works, our lawyer case assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case which gives him the ability to make wise, informed decisions on how to proceed, no matter what you are facing. Attorney Matheny has handled over 50 jury and non-jury trials and proudly serves the accused and arrested in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.
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